The 23-year-old was charged with driving the £25,000 Audi A4 turbo cabriolet without due care and attention.

The player, who lives in a Blundellsands mansion, denies the charge. The incident happened in June last year as he drove along Derby Road, Bootle.

Gerrard did not attend a 10-minute hearing at north Sefton magistrates' court yesterday in which the case was mentioned. He entered a not guilty plea in his absence.

During the same court hearing, team mate Milan Baros was charged with an unrelated driving offence.

Czech international striker Baros was charged with failing to provide his particulars after he was allegedly caught speeding by a roadside camera as he drove his Vauxhall Omega through Bootle last September.

Andrew Page, prosecuting, said: "Mr Baros failed to give police his details after he was caught by a speed camera."

Baros also denied the charge. Richard Green, defending both, said: "With regard to Mr Baros the nature of the allegation may be based on a point of law. The evidence has not yet been submitted to me - there was no issue regarding bail."

Both cases were adjourned for a pre-trial review on February 27 at north Sefton magistrates' court.